galactagogue
/ɡəˈlæk.tə.ɡɑɡ/
galactagogue means A substance that induces lactation. It carries an Arena rating of 1458, earned across 19 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, galactagogue ranks #1,000 of 17,143 for Best Fossil-Poetry Words, #3,854 of 17,149 for Most Exacting Words, #5,106 of 17,151 for The Improbable, #5,856 of 17,142 for Most Ingenious Words.
galactagogue is pronounced /ɡəˈlæk.tə.ɡɑɡ/.
Why “galactagogue” is a great word
A substance that induces or increases the secretion of milk, its name formed from the Ancient Greek γάλακτος (gálaktos), genitive of γάλα (gála, "milk") + ἀγωγός (agōgós, "guide, leader"). Unlike "lactation," which names the process itself, or "galactorrhea," which describes its excessive, often pathological flow, a galactagogue is the deliberate agent, a gentle coaxer rather than a flood. It is the earthy steam of fenugreek tea, the bitter tincture of blessed thistle, the patient, rhythmic pulse of a pump in the pre-dawn dark—the quiet, ancient alchemy of guiding sustenance into being.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek γάλακτος (gálaktos) (genitive of γάλα (gála, “milk”)) + ἀγωγός (agōgós, “guide”).
noun
- A substance that induces lactation.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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